Lord Janner death: CPS considers next move in child sex abuse case

Updated

The Crown Prosecution Service has said it is "considering the procedural implications" in the child sex abuse case against Lord Janner following his death.

A "trial of the facts" was scheduled for April to examine charges related to 22 sexual offences dating back to the 1960s against nine alleged victims, mostly under 16 at the time.

Lord Janner's family announced that he had died peacefully at home aged 87 at the weekend.

In a statement, the CPS said: "Greville Janner faced criminal proceedings for child sex offences, with a trial of the facts scheduled to take place in April 2016.

"When a defendant dies during criminal proceedings, it is usual that the case no longer goes ahead following formal confirmation of the defendant's death at a hearing before the court.

"However, we are considering the procedural implications of this specific case. As the High Court will close today until January 11 2016, there can be no hearing before that date.

"It is right that this matter is considered properly in open court, and we will therefore not be commenting further ahead of a court hearing."

Lord Janner Dies at 87 After Long Illness
Lord Janner Dies at 87 After Long Illness

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